LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!” (Proverbs 15:23, the Holy Bible).

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AFP OFFICERS TO BE COURT-MARTIALED RE: BASILAN BLOODBATH? The 7 p.m. network news aired by government-run FM radio station DWBR on Saturday, October 22, 2011, carried one item that could excite “military adventurism” once more.

This was the news that the Aquino government is studying the possibility of subjecting to court martial proceedings the AFP officers who were responsible for the deployment of the 19 officers and men who were killed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Al-Barka, Basilan.

Coupled with the pervading anger against the decision of President Aquino not to wage an all-out war against, and suspend peace talks with, the MILF, the thought that AFP officers would even be court-martialed in connection with the Al-Barka incident could certainly provoke strong resentment against the government which, if not properly handled, could turn out into something bigger.

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“MILF TERRITORIES”? WHAT ARE THESE!!! Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon is right: it is now time to clarify what is meant by the phrase “MILF territories”. Does this mean that these territories are no longer under the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines, over which the AFP has no right to exert its authority? This is treason of the highest order, if the truth be told.

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POVERTY IN MINDANAO MUST BE ADDRESSED NOW: And while we are all pre-occupied with the supposed atrocities of the MILF against officers and men of the AFP, is someone in the Aquino government now doing something to address the continuing economic deprivation of our people in Mindanao?

Some people laughed at our proposal to pour in economic projects for Southern Philippines, but then, removing poverty there is the one decisive step that could end all conflicts in the area. The reason why people continue to support MILF is that, they have been poor all their lives, and there is no other hope for them.

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NEW PHILHEALTH CHIEF STARTING ON THE WRONG FOOT: Sorry, Dr. Eduardo Banzon, the new chief of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or Philhealth, but the way to give our people the health care system they deserve is not to make insurance frauds a priority of your administration.

If you ask me, what should be aspired for by any new Philhealth chief is this: ensure that each and every Filipino who has no health insurance coverage yet, for one reason or another, would now become a Philhealth member. That way, when they need medical attention, they could get it for free or, at least, for a lesser price.

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CONGRATS, DINKY SOLIMAN: I am not a fan of Secretary Corazon Soliman of the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD), but I am compelled to congratulate her for her efforts to provide livelihood and job generating projects to our countrymen, like the World Bank-funded projects for residents of Rosario, Cavite. Mabuhay, Dinky, for teaching our people “how to fish”!